Vectorworks 2010 User manual

Vectorworks®Spotlight 2010
Getting Started with

2 Vectorworks 2010 Products
Vectorworks Spotlight 2010 Getting Started Guide
Klad
Kevin Lee Allen Design (KLAD)
Kevin Lee Allen
56 Woodlawn Avenue
Clifton, NJ 07013
973.744.6352
[email protected]
© 2009 Nemetschek North America, Inc.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic or mechanical,
including photocopying, recording, faxing, emailing, posting online or by any information storage and retrieval system, without prior
written permission of the publisher. Published in the U.S.A.
Vectorworks is a registered trademark of Nemetschek North America, Inc. in the U.S. and other countries. Windows is a registered
trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the U.S. and other countries.Macintosh is a trademark of Apple Computer, Inc., registered in the
U.S. and other countries. Adobe, Acrobat and Reader are registered trademarks of Adobe Systems in the U.S. and other countries.
The information in this book is distributed on an “as is” basis, without warranty. While every precaution has been taken in the
preparation of this book, neither the author nor Nemetschek North America shall have any liability to any person or entity with respect
to any loss or damage caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly by the information contained in this book or by the
computer software described in it.
For more Vectorworks training information, or to purchase more copies of this book, please visit
www.Vectorworks.net/training or call us at [phone].

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Vectorworks Spotlight 2010 Getting Started Guide
Table of Contents
Introduction.............................................................................................................................................................. 7
How to Use this Manual .......................................................................................................................................... 8
Getting Help ............................................................................................................................................................. 9
The Spotlight Workspace ......................................................................................................................................11
Creating and Editing Workspaces...................................................................................................................................................... 12
Creating a Template .............................................................................................................................................. 15
Organizing the Drawing ........................................................................................................................................ 17
Working Planes ................................................................................................................................................................................. 19
Locus Points...................................................................................................................................................................................... 19
Rotated Views. .................................................................................................................................................................................. 19
Layer Plane and Screen Plane.......................................................................................................................................................... 20
Understanding Symbols ....................................................................................................................................... 21
Understanding Symbols .................................................................................................................................................................... 21
Available Resources.......................................................................................................................................................................... 21
Creating Symbols .............................................................................................................................................................................. 21
Creating Image Props ....................................................................................................................................................................... 23
Symbol Types.................................................................................................................................................................................... 26
File Referencing ................................................................................................................................................................................ 27
Primitive Drawing .................................................................................................................................................. 29
Other 2D Shape Tools ....................................................................................................................................................................... 34
Oval................................................................................................................................................................................................... 34
Regular Polygon................................................................................................................................................................................ 34
Polygon and Polyline......................................................................................................................................................................... 34
Offset................................................................................................................................................................................................. 35
Fillet and Chamfer............................................................................................................................................................................. 36
Rotate................................................................................................................................................................................................ 36
Mirror................................................................................................................................................................................................. 36
Drawing with Lines and Making Objects ........................................................................................................................................... 36

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Vectorworks Spotlight 2010 Getting Started Guide
Duplicate ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 37
Convert to Polygon and Re-Shaping................................................................................................................................................. 38
Exercise............................................................................................................................................................................................. 38
2D – 3D Drawing & Modeling................................................................................................................................ 39
Sweep ............................................................................................................................................................................................... 39
Extrude Along Path............................................................................................................................................................................ 42
Chain Extrude.................................................................................................................................................................................... 42
Multiple Extrude................................................................................................................................................................................. 43
Editing 3D Shapes............................................................................................................................................................................. 43
Exercise............................................................................................................................................................................................. 43
3D Modeling ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 44
Manipulating Solids ........................................................................................................................................................................... 44
3D Primitives ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 44
Project — The Lighthouse................................................................................................................................................................. 45
Using the Wall Tools.............................................................................................................................................. 47
Wall Tool............................................................................................................................................................................................ 48
Floors ................................................................................................................................................................................................ 48
Door and Window Tools .................................................................................................................................................................... 48
Curtain Tool ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 49
Create Seating Layout....................................................................................................................................................................... 50
Curved Wall Tool ............................................................................................................................................................................... 50
Wall Sculpting.................................................................................................................................................................................... 51
Column Tool ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 52
Stair Tools.......................................................................................................................................................................................... 53
Roof Tools ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 55
Drawing a Light Plot.............................................................................................................................................. 57
Label Legends................................................................................................................................................................................... 57
Focus Point Objects .......................................................................................................................................................................... 58
Lighting Positions .............................................................................................................................................................................. 59
Truss.................................................................................................................................................................................................. 60
Creating Lighting Positions................................................................................................................................................................ 60
Inserting Instruments......................................................................................................................................................................... 60
Coloring your Lights .......................................................................................................................................................................... 61
Editing Lights..................................................................................................................................................................................... 61

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Vectorworks Spotlight 2010 Getting Started Guide
Adding Accessories........................................................................................................................................................................... 63
Adding Gobos.................................................................................................................................................................................... 63
Vertical Lighting Positions ................................................................................................................................................................. 64
Shutter Cuts for Visualization............................................................................................................................................................ 64
Projection/Monitor Tools.................................................................................................................................................................... 65
Photometrics/PhotoGrid .................................................................................................................................................................... 65
Scripting ............................................................................................................................................................................................ 66
Creating Custom Lighting Symbols................................................................................................................................................... 67
Create Plot and Model View.............................................................................................................................................................. 67
Visualizing your Design........................................................................................................................................ 71
Rendering Modes .............................................................................................................................................................................. 72
Layer Backgrounds ........................................................................................................................................................................... 74
Exercise............................................................................................................................................................................................. 76
Textures............................................................................................................................................................................................. 77
Creating Textures .............................................................................................................................................................................. 77
Assigning Textures ............................................................................................................................................................................ 80
Textures and Walls ............................................................................................................................................................................ 80
Textures in the OIP............................................................................................................................................................................ 80
Mapping............................................................................................................................................................................................. 81
Attribute Mapping Tool....................................................................................................................................................................... 81
Decals ............................................................................................................................................................................................... 81
Camera Tool...................................................................................................................................................................................... 82
Rendering a simple scene................................................................................................................................................................. 83
Exercise............................................................................................................................................................................................. 83
Lighting in the 3D World....................................................................................................................................... 85
View Menu Options. .......................................................................................................................................................................... 85
Directional Light Mode....................................................................................................................................................................... 86
Spot Light .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 86
Point Light ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 87
IES Files and Custom Lights............................................................................................................................................................. 87
Line Lights and Area Lights............................................................................................................................................................... 87
Lit Fog Option.................................................................................................................................................................................... 87
Exercise............................................................................................................................................................................................. 88

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Vectorworks Spotlight 2010 Getting Started Guide
Presenting your Drawings.................................................................................................................................... 89
Viewports and Sheet Layers ............................................................................................................................................................. 89
Key to Instrumentation ...................................................................................................................................................................... 91
Dimensions and The Annotation Space ............................................................................................................................................ 92
Drawing Border Tool.......................................................................................................................................................................... 93
Custom Title Blocks........................................................................................................................................................................... 93
Graphic Scale Tool ............................................................................................................................................................................ 94
Drawing Labels.................................................................................................................................................................................. 94
Viewport Cropping............................................................................................................................................................................. 95
Section Viewports.............................................................................................................................................................................. 95
Class Overrides................................................................................................................................................................................. 96
Paperwork ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 96
NURBS.................................................................................................................................................................... 97
NURBS Tools (from the Toolset)........................................................................................................................................................ 97
NURBS Commands (from the 3D Power Pack)................................................................................................................................ 97
Fillet or Chamfer Edge ...................................................................................................................................................................... 98
Protrusion Cutout .............................................................................................................................................................................. 99
Solid Addition/Loft Tool .................................................................................................................................................................... 101
Revolve with Rail ............................................................................................................................................................................ 102
Surface Thickening/Solid Shell Tool ................................................................................................................................................ 103
Conclusion ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 103
Exercise........................................................................................................................................................................................... 103
Links ..................................................................................................................................................................... 104
Bio ........................................................................................................................................................................ 105

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Vectorworks Spotlight 2010 Getting Started Guide
Introduction
This guide is not designed to make you an expert in Vectorworks, Spotlight or Renderworks. It is designed to teach the basics of
working with these software tools. This is one of many possible workows. Your own methods may vary slightly over time. This book
only begins to scrape the surface as to what can be done with Vectorworks Spotlight.
I work on a Macintosh computer; thus all of the screen shots here show the MacOS. Windows users will nd the same information in
the same places. It may look a bit different. From time to time, I have inserted information about keyboard shortcuts. Again, I generally
make reference to the Command Key. On a PC, that usually means the Control Key. There is a complete reference to these shortcuts
in the help les, complete with cross referencing the two OS.
This guide comes as a shorter introduction piece in printed form, and exists in a more thorough form on the accompanying DVD.
When I teach Vectorworks, I stress the architectural concept of Building Information Modeling (BIM). Simply put,this is working and
collaborating in the three-dimensional environment. On a more complex level, BIM allows 2D and 3D representations of objects
connected with data. On a collaborative level, this allows a set designer to provide a void and Technical Directors to ll parts of that void
with structure, lighting designers to add instrumentation, sound designers to insert microphones or speakers and video designers to
add screens and gear. BIM in the performing arts allows for a truly collaborative space for the various partners to work and share
information across a series of referenced les.
As a professional, I work this way. I nd that this workow allows me to develop a project from beginning to end, collaborate effectively
and produce both presentational materials and construction documents that evolve with the design.
Working in the 3D space with dynamic links to presentations (sheet layers) keeps the entire project constantly update
Using Metric Units with Exercises
All exercise data set les for this tutorial are set to use imperial units.

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Vectorworks Spotlight 2010 Getting Started Guide
How to Use this Manual
Work through the guide. This is the house that Jack built. Each exercise or process, no matter how simple, leads to the next•
exercise. It helps to have the hands and the mind work through the simple steps before reaching more complex problems.
This manual covers a lot of ground quickly. Yet, you will see it still just skims the surface of a powerful application. Everything is •
here so that you can get up to speed with Vectorworks Spotlight quickly.
Alternate methods are shown for activating/using many tools, commands, and modes.
•
Use what works best for you.
Experiment with different tools and techniques.
•
Watch for SmartCursor cues, which appear as you hover your cursor over signicant drawing object geometry.•
To pan across the drawing at any time (even if a tool or command is active) hold down the Space Bar and drag the cursor.•
I do assume you are familiar with basic computer terms and basic theatrical concepts.•
Save early, save often.•
Establish a back-up ritual.•
Save-As frequently, so you can always access earlier ides and solutions.•
Use symbols, get to know and understand them early.•
Use the Vectorworks auto back-up in addition to your own back up plan.•
Most tools have options, selected in the Tool bar. See the illustration on page 13.•
Don’t be concerned if you do not understand this entire introduction, it will all be explained...•

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Vectorworks Spotlight 2010 Getting Started Guide
Getting Help
Learning software is like learning how
to ride a bicycle. First: learn to fall. Fortunately, Nemetschek North America has made getting back up easy.
First let’s look at the Vectorworks help system. You can select Vectorworks Help from the Help menu, which will open the Help
application or select “What’s This?” which will change your cursor to an arrow with a question mark. You may then use this cursor to
select an object within Vectorworks and you will be sent to the appropriate location within the Vectorworks Help application.
The Vectorworks Help application is a robust depository of information that users are able to modify and adjust to their needs. Like
Vectorworks itself, the application can be automatically updated as information changes.
The Help Application Window is divided into two columns. The left column provides navigation and the right column information. If you
enter search criteria where it says “Enter text to search,” results will be displayed and ranked in the right column. Selecting a search
result will display the search topic.
Search results can be saved as Favorites by clicking on the star icon. You may also add comments and other information.
We all have trouble committing every detail of a program this complex to memory. It takes repeated use. At http://vectorworks.net it is
possible to access a number of additional learning and informational tools, including user forums, mailing lists, demonstration videos
and other guides (http://www.vectorworks.net/training/guides.php). The Vectorworks online community (http://www.vectorworks.net/
community/index.php) is dynamic and supportive. I strongly suggest membership in the user forums and e-mail lists.

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Vectorworks Spotlight 2010 Getting Started Guide
There are specic lists and forums for theatre and Spotlight, but I would not neglect the general forums and lists. Many issues that arise
in Spotlight are familiar to the larger groups of users. Questions posed to the online community are often answered almost immediately.
Since Vectorworks is used widely internationally, it almost doesn’t matter when you are working; there are other people working around
the world.
You will nd links to the online community as well as RSS feeds in the favorites tab of the Help application. As you explore Vectorworks
online, you can add other links.
Reading online posts is a great way to learn the full capabilities of
Vectorworks. The new user may not immediately grasp all of the
topics, but eventually it will all make sense.
PDF manuals can be accessed from the Help table of contents.
Let’s take a look at what else comes with the application.
Some of the terms used here have not been dened as yet; we’ll get
to them, but it is important to have an early idea about what comes
with the application.
On a Mac, the Vectorworks directory should be in the Applications
folder on your hard drive. On a PC, this directory should be in the
Program Files folder.
The libraries are another important feature that will take time to
explore. The libraries are lled with symbols (pre drawn objects) that
can be used. Critically, the Objects-Entertainment directory contains
symbols for nearly all of the lighting instruments available. There are
also accessories, lighting positions, speaker symbols, and truss
symbols.
There are also libraries for textures (used for ‘painting’ scenic
elements and Gobo Textures).
Symbols are 2D and 3D combined, or ‘Hybrid’ objects, that can be
used repetitively and can have critical information attached to them
via a data record. We’ll discuss symbols throughout this guide.